December 10, 2019
Major changes are coming to Personal Financial Affairs Disclosure (F-1) reports. Here is an overview:
New e-filing app
Beginning Jan. 2, 2020, F-1 filers candidates, elected officials, state board and commission members, state agency directors, and legislative and gubernatorial professional staff will use a new Public Disclosure Commission system to submit their statements.
The new online application guides F-1 filers step-by-step through the reporting, using a series of questions, drop-down menus and other features. It's designed to simplify the user experience, prevent errors and answer questions about who must file and when.
Mandatory electronic filing
State law now requires filers to use the electronic system unless they receive a hardship exemption from the PDC.
If you lack the technological ability to use the electronic system, email the PDC at pdc@pdc.wa.gov with an exemption request that explains why you are unable to file electronically.
Statements accessible online
Beginning in January, the PDC will make F-1 statements submitted in 2020 and future years available to the public online. Older reports will remain available by public records request.
The Commission decided this fall to proceed with adding F-1s to the website in recognition of the PDC's mission to provide timely and meaningful public access to information. F-1s, which currently are the only PDC reports not available online, will join more than 7 million records the agency has published in recent years.
For more information, see this FAQ.
More details coming
Watch for more details including instructions for how to get early access to your new F-1 account coming your way soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, you can email pdc@pdc.wa.gov or call the PDC customer service team at 360-753-1111.